Could someone be watching him in the shadows?
Is this person working for His Majesty? Check latest chapters at 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾·𝗇𝖾𝗍
Are all his words and actions seen by this person?
If so, his denial would be an act of treason?
As he was pondering this, a cold, emotionless voice came from above him.
"Fu Wen, you better think carefully and answer wisely. Otherwise, when the truth is revealed, you can’t bear the consequences of treason."
Fu Wen had been aware since childhood of the dire consequences of treason. One of his father’s students was beheaded for treason. When the student’s family came to plead for help, his father wanted to assist but was powerless.
Although he was young at the time, it had a significant impact on him, and even now, the memory remained vivid.
He understood clearly that if he committed treason today, even his father couldn’t save him.
Thus, no matter how the Empress signaled to him, he didn’t dare to follow her intentions anymore.
Since Emperor Yongning knew those intimate matters, there must have been someone arranged near him, which he couldn’t keep from Emperor Yongning.
Feeling ashamed, Fu Wen glanced at the Empress, then confessed truthfully about being arranged by her to replace Jun Ning to become the Seventeenth Prince’s companion, with no concealment.
What surprised Jun Ning was that he even mentioned being tormented daily in Jiaofang Palace.
It was an unexpected gain.
So, the truth about Jun Ning’s reckless behavior in Jiaofang Palace, showing no regard for the Empress, was now clear.
It was the Empress deliberately tormenting Jun Ning, attempting to remove him so that her family could place someone as the companion to the Seventeenth Prince. The Empress accused first to cover her misdeeds, truly unbecoming of someone in her position.
Yet, the Empress was unwilling to admit guilt so easily.
She continued to refute, "Your Majesty, Fu Wen was frightened by your accusation of treason, and thus he spoke nonsense. None of that is true, I never tormented him, nor did I say Fu Wen would replace him as the Seventeenth’s companion."
As she spoke, with tear-filled eyes, the Empress pulled her chief palace maid, Qing Er, to Emperor Yongning, lifting Qing Er’s sleeve, "Your Majesty, if what I said is false, then look at the injuries on my maid’s arm, all caused by him."
"Who exactly is tormenting whom? Your Majesty, can’t you see it?" The Empress bit her lip and asked.
Qing Er’s arms, once pale, now bore bruises and marks, revealed to everyone.
Emperor Yongning only glanced briefly before withdrawing his gaze, without any intent to immediately judge on Qing Er’s behalf.
Whether Qing Er’s injuries were caused by him required further discussion.
How could a grown person be pinched like that by a little child of two and a half? Was she without limbs, unable to fight back? Or was she asleep and unaware, hence the marks?
No matter the reason, it was somewhat inexplicable.
Emperor Yongning contemplated whether to call an Imperial Physician to determine if such bruises could be inflicted by a child’s strength, thinking the Imperial Physician might reveal the truth.
But before he could speak, Jun Ning spoke first.
"Hey, Qing Er, how come your injuries have increased compared to when you were at Jiaofang Palace? I remember your bruises weren’t this many at Jiaofang Palace. Now both arms are all marked up."
"Looking at this, it scares me to death."
Jun Ning fearfully patted his chest, but his gaze remained fixed on Qing Er’s bruises.
Whether he was truly frightened or merely pretending, the crowd could see but chose not to comment.
Qing Er said, "It takes time for bruises to show fully. You pinched me an hour ago. While at Jiaofang Palace, they weren’t all visible yet because not enough time had passed."
Jun Ning asked with a half-smile, "So you mean enough time has passed now for them to appear?"